Much of the local news in Jakarta lately has been about the Sumber Waras corruption accusations against Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama – accusations that, incidentally, have so far found to be completely baseless by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
The allegations essentially boil down to an undisclosed audit report from the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), which suggests that Ahok’s provincial government may have colluded to mark up the purchase of land from Sumber Waras private hospital. Ahok countered by saying that the report was false and even threatened to bring the matter to court so that the report could be made public.
And where there’s a mess involving Ahok, you can be sure that Jakarta City Councilor and Ahok’s arch-nemesis Abraham “Haji Lulung” Lunggana will butt in to make things more interesting – this time by committing himself to a rather dangerous bet.
“If Ahok dares to sue the BPK, I’m willing to cut off my ear,” Haji Lulung said, as quoted by Tempo yesterday.
We’re not sure why Haji Lulung would make such a risky bet – we have a suspicion that Ahok will sue the BPK just to see Haji Lulung cut off his ear. Perhaps Haji Lulung has already learned from others that Indonesian politicians can always make excuses to get out of ridiculous bets. After all, we still haven’t seen Gerindra politician Habiburokhman jump off the top of Monas after losing his bet on Ahok.
